Benicio Del Toro has reportedly been offered the villain role in Star Wars: Episode VIII. A number of sources close to the casting process confirmed Del Toro’s possible involvement in the sequel to Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Monday (20th July).

Benicio Del Toro at the Los Angeles premiere of Escobar: Paradise Lost in June 2015.

Negotiations are allegedly in the early stages but both Disney and Lucasfilm are keen to see Del Toro in the role, as The Wrap reports. Representatives for Disney, Lucasfilm or Del Toro are yet to comment on the casting rumours.

Rian Johnson is directing Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is due to begin filming later this year. It is slated for a May 2017 release.

Del Toro - if he is cast in the villain role for Star Wars: Episode VII - will reportedly work alongside Isaac, Ridley and Boyega as they are all expected to return for the sequel.

48-year-old Del Toro has enjoyed a prolific career, garnering widespread acclaim for a number of his roles. He won an Oscar for his performance in Traffic and multiple award nominations for his roles in The Usual Suspects, 21 Grams and Che.

Del Toro can next be seen in Sicario, in cinemas from 18th September (U.S.) and 9th October (U.K.). He plays a member of a government task force who work with the FBI to take down a Mexican drug cartel. Del Toro stars opposite Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin.